Samuel Chukwueze, Akpoguma Score, Awoniyi Fires Blanks

Samuel Chukwueze and Kevin Akpoguma were both on target for their respective European clubs on Saturday.

Chukwueze came off the bench to wrap up maximum points for Villarreal who came from a goal down to defeat Real Sociedad in LaLiga.

It’s Chukwueze’s second league goal, and his fifth of the season in 15 appearances across all competitions.

The Nigeria international replaced Yeremi Pino just after the hour-mark and completed the win for the visitors with his 96th-minute effort, thanks to an assist from Gerard Moreno.

He last played for Nigeria in March in an AFCON qualifier against Lesotho.

In the Bundesliga, substitute Kevin Akpoguma scored an added-time equaliser to earn Hoffenheim a 1-1 draw at home to Borussia Monchengladbach.

The goal was Akpoguma’s second in 15 Bundesliga games this season.

The Nigerian defender came on for Pavel Kaderabek in the 87th minute and turned in Ihlas Bebou’s header to earn Hoffenheim a share of the spoils.

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Following the draw, Hoffenheim are fourth in the Bundesliga with 28 points from 17 games.

At the Vonovia Ruhrstadion, striker Taiwo Awoniyi fired blanks in Union Berlin’s 1-0 win over Bochum.

A first-half strike from Max Kruse sealed victory for the visitors.

Awoniyi leads the way for Union this season with nine league goals, behind only Robert Lewandowski (19), Patrik Schick (16), Erling Haaland (13) and Anthony Modeste (10) in Bundesliga.

The 24-year-old, who was replaced in the 64th minute, was the third-fastest player in the game after Sheraldo Becker and Patrick Osterhage, covering 32.40km/h.

Earlier, Moreno canceled out Alexander Isak’s opener for Real Sociedad, before turning the game around for Villarreal with his second goal of the tie in the 68th minute.

Villarreal have moved up to 10th in the La Liga table with 22 points after 17 matches. They battle Alaves next in the league on December 21.

Chukwueze, 22, who returned from a five-month injury layoff in October, is expected to be named in Nigeria’s provisional squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon next month.